Rodgers Dictionary of Proverbs
Firewood for cooking an elephant is
gathered by the elephant itself. (self-
imposed problem)
Firewood yields ash.
Firm breasts don't last long.
First a daughter, then a son, and the family's
well begun.
First a turnip, then a sheep; next a cow, and
then the gallows.
First bake the strudel then sit down and
ponder.
First build your house and then
accommodate the furniture.
First catch your hare, then cook him.
First catch your hare, then cook it.
First catch your hare.
First clean out your own backyard.
First cobwebs, then chains.
First come first served.
First come to the mill, first grind.
First come, first served.
First deserve and then desire.
First deserve then desire.
First deserve, and then desire.
First do it, then say it.
First endure, then pity, then embrace.
First food, then religion.
First for self, then for the stranger.
First friends, then broken heads.
First goblet and then drunkenness.
First God, then the white man.
First harvest honey and wax during the day,
then dance and play in the open during
the evening.
First impressions are the most lasting.
First improve yourself, and then judge
others.
First leap, and then say "hop".
First learn, and then form opinions.
First look at home, then censure me.
First me, then my son.
First mend yourself, and then mend others.
First prove your brotherhood, then claim
inheritance.
First secure an independent income, then
practice virtue.
First the man takes a drink of liquor, then
202
the drink takes a drink, and then the
drink takes the man.
First the man takes a drink, then the drink
takes a drink, then the drink takes the
man.
First the man takes a drink, then the drink
takes a drink, then the drink takes the
man.
First the stable, then the cow.
First there, first served.
First things first.
First think, and then speak.
First try and then trust.
First weigh, then venture.
First with his harrow, first with his sickle.
First you are to think always of god. second
you are to use all your powers to care for
your people and especially the poor.
Fish a needle in the sea.
Fish always stink from the head down
Fish and guests smell after three days
Fish and guests smell at three days old.
Fish and guests smell when they are three
days old.
Fish and visitors smell after three days.
Fish and visitors smell in three days.
Fish begins to stink at the head.
Fish bite best on a golden hook.
Fish by fish the net becomes full.
Fish cannot survive in absolutely clear
water.
Fish don't get caught in deep water.
Fish for the moon in the water.
Fish in muddled water.
Fish must swim three times: once in the
water, a second time in the sauce, and a
third time in wine in the stomach.
Fish must swim thrice.
Fish only come to their senses after they are
caught in the net.
Fish or cut bait.
Fish stinks from the head on.
Fish wrapped in leaves should not be tasted.
(Certain things should only be done in
their own time.)